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Abstract:

A digital broadcast receiver includes a subtitle monitoring unit 21 for
continuously monitoring as to whether a received signal obtained by
receiving a digital broadcast contains subtitles or not; a subtitle
analyzing unit 22 for analyzing, when the monitoring detects that the
subtitles are contained, the subtitles to generate subtitle information;
an external image input unit 11 for receiving an external image from
outside; a video layout unit 24 for deciding, as to the external image
and a subtitle presenting image generated from the subtitle information,
display size and display position of each of the subtitle presenting
image and the external image in such a manner as to avoid overlaps
between them; a graphics creating unit 23 for creating from the subtitle
information the subtitle presenting image conforming to the decision made
by the video layout unit; and a video synthesizing unit 23 for combining
the subtitle presenting image created and the external image, and
displays a synthesized image.

Claims:

1. A digital broadcast receiver comprising: receiving means for receiving
a digital broadcast; a subtitle monitoring unit for continuously
monitoring as to whether a received signal from the receiving means
contains subtitles or not; a subtitle analyzing unit for analyzing, when
the subtitle monitoring unit detects that the subtitles are contained,
the subtitles to generate subtitle information; an external image input
unit for receiving an external image from outside; a video layout unit
for deciding, as to a subtitle presenting image generated from the
subtitle information from the subtitle analyzing unit and the external
image from the external image input unit, display size and display
position of each of the subtitle presenting image and the external image
in a manner as to avoid overlaps between them; a graphics creating unit
for creating from the subtitle information from the subtitle analyzing
unit the subtitle presenting image with the display size and display
position decided by the video layout unit; a video synthesizing unit for
combining the subtitle presenting image created by the graphics creating
unit and the external image from the external image input unit; and
display means for displaying an image synthesized by the video
synthesizing unit.

2. A digital broadcast receiver comprising: receiving means for receiving
a digital broadcast; a video decoder for decoding a received signal from
the receiving means to create a digital broadcast image; a subtitle
analyzing unit for analyzing subtitles contained in the received signal
from the receiving means to generate subtitle information; a map data
memory that stores map data; a related-region analyzing unit for
analyzing the subtitle information from the subtitle analyzing unit to
identify a related region; a related-map creating unit for reading from
the map data memory the map data about the related region identified by
the related-region analyzing unit to create a subtitle-related map; a
graphics creating unit for creating a subtitle presenting image from the
subtitle information from the subtitle analyzing unit; a video
synthesizing unit for combining the digital broadcast image created by
the video decoder, the subtitle presenting image created by the graphics
unit, and the subtitle-related map created by the related-map creating
unit; and display means for displaying an image synthesized by the video
synthesizing unit.

3. A digital broadcast receiver comprising: receiving means for receiving
a digital broadcast; a subtitle monitoring unit for continuously
monitoring as to whether a received signal from the receiving means
contains subtitles or not; a subtitle analyzing unit for analyzing, when
the subtitle monitoring unit detects that the subtitles are contained,
the subtitles to generate subtitle information; and an output unit for
outputting the subtitle information from the subtitle analyzing unit to
outside.

4. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 3, further
comprising: external equipment for creating a subtitle presenting image
from the subtitle information output from the output unit, for combining
the created subtitle presenting image with an image generated within the
external equipment, and for displaying a synthesized image.

5. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 4, wherein the
external equipment analyzes the subtitle information delivered from the
output unit to detect a related region, creates a subtitle-related map, a
map about the related region detected, combines the created
subtitle-related map and the subtitle presenting image created from the
subtitle information delivered from the output unit, and displays a
synthesized image.

6. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 2, wherein the video
synthesizing unit combines the digital broadcast image created by the
video decoder, the subtitle presenting image created by the graphics
creating unit and the subtitle-related map created by the related-map
creating unit in a manner as to avoid overlaps between them by adjusting
display size and display position of each of them.

7. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 2, further
comprising: an external image input unit for receiving an external image
from outside, wherein the video synthesizing unit combines the digital
broadcast image created by the video decoder, the subtitle presenting
image created by the graphics creating unit, the subtitle-related map
created by the related-map creating unit, and the external image fed from
the external image input unit in a manner as to avoid overlaps between
them by adjusting display size and display position of each of them.

8. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 4, wherein the
external equipment combines the subtitle presenting image created from
the subtitle information delivered from the output unit and the image
generated within the external equipment in a manner as to avoid overlaps
between them by adjusting display size and display position of each of
them.

9. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 5, wherein the
external equipment identifies the related region by analyzing the
subtitle information delivered from the output unit, creates the
subtitle-related map about the related region identified, combines the
subtitle-related map created and the subtitle presenting image created
from the subtitle information from the output unit in a manner as to
avoid overlaps between them by deciding display size and display position
of each of them, and displays a synthesized image.

10. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein a
character font of the subtitle presenting image created from the subtitle
information is adjusted at a time of display.

11. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 2, wherein a
character font of the subtitle presenting image created from the subtitle
information is adjusted at a time of display.

12. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 3, wherein a
character font of the subtitle presenting image created from the subtitle
information is adjusted at a time of display.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiver, and
more particularly to a technique of displaying subtitles in cooperation
with external equipment such as a car navigation system connected
externally.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] While viewing a television broadcast, there are some cases when
disaster information such as that about a tsunami or earthquake or other
spot news are displayed on the screen. Although such information has high
importance and great urgency, it is information that can be obtained only
when viewing a television broadcast. Thus, there is a problem of being
unable to obtain it in other cases.

[0003] As a technique to solve such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses
a digital broadcast receiving apparatus capable of monitoring subtitles
of digital broadcasting even while a user is viewing a medium other than
the digital broadcasting, and notifying the user of flash information.

[0004] The digital broadcast receiving apparatus includes a subtitle
monitoring unit for continuously monitoring subtitles of a digital
broadcast, a video output unit capable of outputting the received
subtitles by superimposing on an image currently viewed, an audio output
unit capable of outputting the subtitles in voice, and an OSD output unit
for displaying the subtitles on an OSD (on-screen display), in which the
subtitle monitoring unit monitors the subtitles of the digital broadcast
even when the user is viewing a medium other than the digital broadcast,
and notifies the user, when the subtitles are broadcast by the digital
broadcast, by superimposing the subtitles on the image currently viewed,
or via the OSD display or by voice. [0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese
Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-341200.

[0006] However, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus disclosed in the
foregoing Patent Document 1 has a problem in that when the image
currently viewed is a map of the car navigation system, for example, a
display indicating place-names and a route becomes hard to see because of
the subtitles that are superimposed or OSD displayed.

[0007] The present invention is implemented to solve the foregoing
problem. Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a
digital broadcast receiver capable of displaying the subtitles without
any adverse effect on the image currently viewed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0008] To solve the foregoing problem, the digital broadcast receiver in
accordance with the present invention includes: receiving means for
receiving a digital broadcast; a subtitle monitoring unit for
continuously monitoring as to whether a received signal from the
receiving means contains subtitles or not; a subtitle analyzing unit for
analyzing, when the subtitle monitoring unit detects that the subtitles
are contained, the subtitles to generate subtitle information; an
external image input unit for receiving an external image from outside; a
video layout unit for deciding, as to a subtitle presenting image
generated from the subtitle information from the subtitle analyzing unit
and the external image from the external image input unit, display size
and display position of each of the subtitle presenting image and the
external image in a manner as to avoid overlaps between them; a graphics
creating unit for creating from the subtitle information from the
subtitle analyzing unit the subtitle presenting image with the display
size and display position decided by the video layout unit; a video
synthesizing unit for combining the subtitle presenting image created by
the graphics creating unit and the external image from the external image
input unit; and display means for displaying an image synthesized by the
video synthesizing unit.

[0009] According to a digital broadcast receiver in accordance with the
present invention, since it is configured in such a manner that while the
display means displays the external image from outside, it obtains the
subtitle information from the received signal acquired by receiving a
digital broadcast in the background, creates the subtitle presenting
image, and displays the external image and the subtitle presenting image
after combining them in such a manner as to avoid overlaps between them,
a user can watch the subtitles without switching the image currently
viewing to the digital broadcast, and avoid interference with his or her
viewing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital
broadcast receiver of an embodiment 1 in accordance with the present
invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a
CPU constituting the digital broadcast receiver of the embodiment 1 in
accordance with the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of subtitle information
generated by the digital broadcast receiver of the embodiment 1 in
accordance with the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a subtitle presenting
image created by the digital broadcast receiver of the embodiment 1 in
accordance with the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a digital broadcast image
created by the digital broadcast receiver of the embodiment 1 in
accordance with the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a car navigation image
(map) created by the digital broadcast receiver of the embodiment 1 in
accordance with the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the
monitor of the digital broadcast receiver of the embodiment 1 in
accordance with the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital
broadcast receiver of an embodiment 2 in accordance with the present
invention;

[0018]FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the
CPU constituting the digital broadcast receiver of the embodiment 2 in
accordance with the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a subtitle-related map
created by the digital broadcast receiver of the embodiment 2 in
accordance with the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on
the monitor of the digital broadcast receiver of the embodiment 2 in
accordance with the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital
broadcast receiver of an embodiment 3 in accordance with the present
invention;

[0022] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of
the CPU constituting the digital broadcast receiver of the embodiment 3
in accordance with the present invention; and

[0023] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on
the monitor in the digital broadcast receiver of a second variation of
the embodiment 3 in accordance with the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0024] The best mode for carrying out the invention will now be described
with reference to the accompanying drawings to explain the present
invention in more detail.

Embodiment 1

[0025] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital
broadcast receiver 100 of an embodiment 1 in accordance with the present
invention. To the digital broadcast receiver 100, a car navigation system
500 is connected. Incidentally, a concept of the digital broadcast
receiver in accordance with the present invention contains the car
navigation system 500.

[0026] The car navigation system 500, which corresponds to external
equipment in accordance with the present invention, delivers to the
digital broadcast receiver 100 the car navigation video data far
displaying a map or various images generated internally and the car
navigation audio data for outputting a voice. The car navigation image
created from the car navigation video data corresponds to an external
image in accordance with the present invention.

[0029] The antenna 1 receives radio waves of the digital broadcasting,
converts them to electric signals, and delivers them to the tuner 2. The
tuner 2 extracts the frequency component of the channel to be selected,
which is designated by the CPU 17, from the signals delivered from the
antenna 1, and delivers it to the OFDM demodulator 3. The OFDM
demodulator 3 carries out OFDM demodulation of the signal delivered from
the tuner 2 and then converts it to a digital signal, and delivers it to
the demultiplexer 4 as a transport stream.

[0030] The demultiplexer 4 separates the transport stream delivered from
the OFDM demodulator 3 to the audio stream, video stream and carousel,
and delivers to the audio decoder 5, video decoder 10 and CPU 17 as a
received signal, respectively. The receiving means in accordance with the
present invention comprises the antenna 1, tuner 2, OFDM demodulator 3
and demultiplexer 4.

[0032] The voice switching unit 7 selects the digital broadcasting audio
data delivered from the audio decoder 5 or the car navigation audio data
delivered from the external voice input unit 6, and delivers to the voice
control unit 8 as the output audio data. The voice control unit 8
converts the output audio data delivered from the voice switching unit 7
to an analog voice signal, and delivers to the speaker 9. The speaker 9
produces the voice corresponding to the voice signal delivered from the
voice control unit 8.

[0033] The video decoder 10 decodes the video stream delivered from the
demultiplexer 4, and delivers to the video synthesizing unit 13 as the
digital broadcasting video data. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example
of a digital broadcast image created from the digital broadcasting video
data.

[0034] The external image input unit 11 receives the car navigation video
data delivered from the car navigation system 500, and delivers to the
video synthesizing unit 13. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a
car navigation image (map) created from the car navigation video data.

[0035] The GUI unit 12 creates a menu screen. The menu screen data showing
the menu screen created by the GUI unit 12 is delivered to the video
synthesizing unit 13. In addition, the GUI unit 12 receives the signal
from a remote control (not shown) operated by the user, and delivers to
the CPU 17. According to the signal from the GUI unit 12, the CPU 17
executes various processing in accordance with the user operation.

[0036] According to the layout information delivered from the CPU 17 (its
details will be described later), the video synthesizing unit 13 combines
the digital broadcasting video data delivered from the video decoder 10,
the car navigation video data delivered from the external image input
unit 11, the menu screen data delivered from the GUI unit 12 and the
subtitle presenting image data delivered from the CPU 17 (its details
will be described later), and delivers to the video control unit 14 as
the output video data.

[0037] The video control unit 14 converts the output video data delivered
from the video synthesizing unit 13 to the analog video signal, and
delivers to the monitor 15. The monitor 15 consists of an LCD (Liquid
Crystal Display), for example, and displays an image corresponding to the
video signal delivered from the video control unit 14. A display means in
accordance with the present invention consists of the video control unit
14 and the monitor 15.

[0039] Next, details of the CPU 17 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block
diagram showing a functional configuration of the CPU 17, which shows a
portion only relating to the present invention. The CPU 17 includes a
subtitle monitoring unit 21, a subtitle analyzing unit 22, a graphics
creating unit 23 and a video layout unit 24, which are composed of
programs.

[0040] The subtitle monitoring unit 21 receives the carousel delivered
from the demultiplexer 4, and monitors continuously (even during the time
when the digital broadcasting is not viewed) as to whether the carousel
contains the subtitles or not, that is, whether the subtitles are
received or not. Then, when it detects any subtitles contained, it
delivers the carousel containing the subtitles to the subtitle analyzing
unit 22.

[0041] The subtitle analyzing unit 22 carries out analysis and extraction
of the subtitles contained in the carousel delivered from the subtitle
monitoring unit 21, and creates subtitle information containing the
contents of the subtitles and detailed information on an image. FIG. 3
shows an example of the subtitle information. The subtitle information
includes "reception date and time", "classification", "contents", "image
property" and "presence or absence of an image". The subtitle information
created by the subtitle analyzing unit 22 is delivered to the graphics
creating unit 23 and video layout unit 24.

[0042] The graphics creating unit 23 produces a subtitle presenting image,
which is to be displayed as the subtitles, from the subtitle information
delivered from the subtitle analyzing unit 22, and from the layout
information delivered from the video layout unit 24 (its detailed will be
described later). FIG. 4 shows an example of the subtitle presenting
image created from the No. 1 information in the subtitle information
shown in FIG. 3. The subtitle presenting image data representing the
subtitle presenting image created by the graphics creating unit 23 is
delivered to the video synthesizing unit 13.

[0043] According to the size of the monitor 15, the subtitle information
delivered from the subtitle analyzing unit 22 and the car navigation
video data delivered from the external image input unit 11, the video
layout unit 24 decides the display size and display position of the
subtitle presenting image and the display size and display position of
the car navigation image in such a manner as to avoid overlaps between
the subtitle presenting image and the car navigation image, and outputs
as the layout information. The layout information output from the video
layout unit 24 is delivered to the graphics creating unit 23 and video
synthesizing unit 13.

[0044] Next, the operation will be described in the case where the
subtitles are received while viewing a digital broadcast on the digital
broadcast receiver 100 of the embodiment 1 in accordance with the present
invention with the foregoing configuration.

[0045] The radio waves of the digital broadcasts received with the antenna
1 are converted to an electric signal and is delivered to the tuner 2.
The tuner 2 extracts from the signal delivered from the antenna 1 the
frequency component of a channel to be selected according to the
instruction of the CPU 17, and delivers to the OFDM demodulator 3. The
OFDM demodulator 3 performs the OFDM demodulation on the signal delivered
from the tuner 2, followed by converting to the digital signal, and
delivers it to the demultiplexer 4 as the transport stream. The
demultiplexer 4 separates the transport stream delivered from the OFDM
demodulator 3 to the audio stream, video stream and carousel, and
delivers to the audio decoder 5, video decoder 10 and CPU 17,
respectively.

[0046] The carousel separated by the demultiplexer 4 is delivered to the
subtitle monitoring unit 21 of the CPU 17. The subtitle monitoring unit
21 continuously monitors the presence or absence of the subtitles, and
delivers, when detecting the reception of the subtitles, the carousel
containing the subtitles to the subtitle analyzing unit 22. The subtitle
analyzing unit 22 performs the analysis and extraction of the subtitles
contained in the carousel received from the subtitle monitoring unit 21,
and creates the subtitle information. The subtitle information created by
the subtitle analyzing unit 22 is delivered to the graphics creating unit
23.

[0047] The graphics creating unit 23 creates the subtitle presenting image
from the subtitle information delivered from the subtitle analyzing unit
22, and delivers to the video synthesizing unit 13 as the subtitle
presenting image data. The video synthesizing unit 13 combines the
subtitle presenting image data delivered from the graphics creating unit
23 and the digital broadcasting video data delivered from the video
decoder 10. The output video data obtained by combining them by the video
synthesizing unit 13 is delivered to the video control unit 14. The video
control unit 14 converts the output video data delivered from the video
synthesizing unit 13 to the analog video signal, and delivers to the
monitor 15. The monitor 15 displays an image corresponding to the video
signal delivered from the video control unit 14.

[0048] Incidentally, a configuration is also possible which stores the
subtitle information created by the subtitle monitoring unit 21 in the
memory 16, and refers to the information as needed as the history of the
subtitles afterward.

[0049] Next, the operation will be described in the case where the digital
broadcast receiver 100 of the embodiment 1 receives the subtitles while
viewing the car navigation image and listening to the car navigation
voice from the car navigation system 500. In this case, although the car
navigation image is displayed on the monitor 15, the processing such as
receiving, demultiplexing and decoding of a digital broadcast is carried
out in parallel in the background.

[0050] As for the operations of receiving the digital broadcasting with
the antenna 1, of separating to the audio stream, video stream and
carousel by the demultiplexer 4, and of delivering to the audio decoder
5, video decoder 10 and CPU 17, they are the same as those when the
subtitles are received while viewing the digital broadcast as described
above.

[0051] The carousel separated by the demultiplexer 4 is delivered to the
subtitle monitoring unit 21 of the CPU 17. The subtitle monitoring unit
21, which continuously monitors the presence or absence of the reception
of the subtitles, delivers, when detecting the reception of the
subtitles, the carousel containing the subtitles to the subtitle
analyzing unit 22. The subtitle analyzing unit 22 performs the analysis
and extraction of the subtitles contained in the carousel received from
the subtitle monitoring unit 21 and creates the subtitle information. The
subtitle information created by the subtitle analyzing unit is delivered
to the video layout unit 24.

[0052] The video layout unit 24 decides the display size and display
position of the subtitle presenting image and the display size and
display position of the car navigation image in such a manner as to avoid
overlaps between the subtitle presenting image and the car navigation
image, and delivers to the graphics creating unit 23 and video
synthesizing unit 13 as the layout information.

[0053] According to the display size indicated by the layout information
delivered from the video layout unit 24, the graphics creating unit 23
creates the subtitle presenting image from the subtitle information
delivered from the subtitle analyzing unit 22, and delivers to the video
synthesizing unit 13. The video synthesizing unit 13 combines the
subtitle presenting image delivered from the graphics creating unit 23
and the digital broadcast image delivered from the video decoder 10 in
such a manner as to fulfill the display size and display position
indicated by the layout information delivered from the video layout unit
24. The output video data combined by the video synthesizing unit is
delivered to the video control unit 14.

[0054] The operation thereafter is the same as that when receiving the
subtitles while viewing the digital broadcast as described above. FIG. 7
is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the monitor 15
by the foregoing processing, in which the car navigation image is reduced
in the vertical direction and the subtitle presenting image is placed and
displayed thereunder in such a manner as to avoid overlapping.

[0055] As described above, according to the digital broadcast receiver 100
of the embodiment 1 in accordance with the present invention, since it is
configured in such a manner as to combine an image other than the digital
broadcasting, that is, the subtitles received while the car navigation
image is displayed on the monitor 15, with the car navigation image, and
to display the synthesized image, the user can obtain the subtitle
information even during the time when viewing the an image other than the
digital broadcasting.

[0056] Incidentally, when the car navigation image is output, the voice
switching unit 7 is preferably switched to the position for selecting the
car navigation audio data delivered from the car navigation system 500
via the external voice input unit 6.

Embodiment 2

[0057] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital
broadcast receiver 200 of an embodiment 2 in accordance with the present
invention. The digital broadcast receiver 200 is constructed by removing
the external voice input unit 6, voice switching unit 7 and external
image input unit 11 from the digital broadcast receiver 100 of the
embodiment 1, by altering the output of the audio decoder 5 in such a
manner as to be directly delivered to the voice control unit 8, and by
adding a map data memory 18.

[0058] In the digital broadcast receiver 200 of the embodiment 2, the
video synthesizing unit 13 generates the output video data by combining
the digital broadcast image delivered from the video decoder 10, the menu
screen delivered from the GUI unit 12, the subtitle presenting image
delivered from the CPU 17 and the subtitle-related map delivered from the
CPU 17 (its details will be described later), and delivers to the video
control unit 14.

[0059] In this case, by introducing the function similar to that of the
video layout unit 24 included in the CPU 17 of the digital broadcast
receiver 100 of the embodiment 1, the video synthesizing unit 13 can be
constructed in a way that it combines the digital broadcast image created
by the video decoder 10, the subtitle presenting image created by the
graphics creating unit 23 and the subtitle-related map created by a
related-map creating unit 26 in such a manner as to avoid overlaps
between them by adjusting the display size and display position of each
of them. Thus, according to the configuration, it becomes possible to
arrange the images in such a manner as to avoid interference with each
other on the display.

[0061] Next, details of the CPU 17 will be described. FIG. 9 is a block
diagram showing a functional configuration of the CPU 17, which shows
only a portion relating to the present invention. The CPU 17 comprises
the subtitle analyzing unit 22, the graphics creating unit 23, a
related-region analyzing unit 25 and the related-map creating unit 26.

[0062] The subtitle analyzing unit 22 performs analysis and extraction of
the subtitles contained in the carousel delivered from the demultiplexer
4, and generates the subtitle information as shown in FIG. 3, for
example. The subtitle information generated by the subtitle analyzing
unit 22 is delivered to the graphics creating unit 23 and related-region
analyzing unit 25.

[0063] The graphics creating unit 23 creates a subtitle presenting image
as shown in FIG. 4, for example, from the subtitle information delivered
from the subtitle analyzing unit 22. The subtitle presenting image data
representing the subtitle presenting image created by the graphics
creating unit 23 is delivered to the video synthesizing unit 13.

[0064] The related-region analyzing unit 25 analyzes the subtitle
information delivered from the subtitle analyzing unit 22 to identify a
region relating to the contents of the subtitles from an item such as a
place-name contained in the subtitle information, for example. The data
representing the region identified by the related-region analyzing unit
25 is delivered to the related-map creating unit 26.

[0065] The related-map creating unit 26 reads from the map data memory 18
the map data corresponding to the data representing the region delivered
from the related-region analyzing unit 25, and creates a subtitle-related
map associated with the subtitle information. FIG. 10 shows an example of
the subtitle-related map, in which roads corresponding to the subtitles
"◯◯ automobile road (up)" are displayed
emphatically. The data representing the subtitle-related map created by
the related-map creating unit 26 is delivered to the video synthesizing
unit 13.

[0066] Next, the operation of the digital broadcast receiver 200 of the
embodiment 2 in accordance with the present invention with the foregoing
configuration will be described centering on the operation at the time
when receiving the subtitles while viewing a digital broadcast.

[0067] The radio waves of the digital broadcasting received by the antenna
1 are converted to an electric signal delivered to the tuner 2. The tuner
2 extracts the frequency component of the channel to be selected, which
is designated by the CPU 17, from the signal delivered from the antenna
1, and delivers it to the OFDM demodulator 3. The OFDM demodulator 3
carries out OFDM demodulation of the signal delivered from the tuner 2
and then converts it to a digital signal, and delivers it to the
demultiplexer 4 as a transport stream. The demultiplexer 4 separates the
transport stream delivered from the OFDM demodulator 3 to the audio
stream, video stream and carousel, and delivers them to the audio decoder
5, video decoder 10 and CPU 17, respectively.

[0068] The carousel separated by the demultiplexer 4 is delivered to the
subtitle analyzing unit 22 of the CPU 17. The subtitle analyzing unit 22
performs the analysis and extraction of the subtitles contained in the
carousel received from the demultiplexer 4 to generate the subtitle
information. The subtitle information generated by the subtitle analyzing
unit 22 is delivered to the graphics creating unit 23 and related-region
analyzing unit 25.

[0069] The graphics creating unit 23 creates the subtitle presenting image
from the subtitle information delivered from the subtitle analyzing unit
22, and delivers to the video synthesizing unit 13 as the subtitle
presenting image data.

[0070] The related-region analyzing unit 25 analyzes the subtitle
information delivered from the subtitle analyzing unit 22 to identify the
region relating to the contents of the subtitles, and delivers the
identified data representing the region to the related-map creating unit
26. The related-map creating unit 26 reads from the map data memory 18
the map data corresponding to the data representing the region delivered
from the related-region analyzing unit 25, and creates the
subtitle-related map associated with the subtitle information. The data
representing the subtitle-related map created by the related-map creating
unit 26 is delivered to the video synthesizing unit 13.

[0071] The video synthesizing unit 13 generates the output video data by
combining the digital broadcast image delivered from the video decoder
10, the menu screen delivered from the GUI unit 12, the subtitle
presenting image delivered from the graphics creating unit 23 and the
subtitle-related map delivered from the related-map creating unit 26 in
such a manner that they are arranged within the screen of the monitor 15,
and delivers to the video control unit 14. The video control unit 14
converts the output video data delivered from the video synthesizing unit
13 to an analog video signal, and delivers to the monitor 15. The monitor
15 displays an image corresponding to the video signal delivered from the
video control unit 14.

[0072] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the image displayed on
the monitor 15 by the foregoing processing. The image is displayed in a
fashion that the data broadcast image is reduced in the vertical and
horizontal directions, and the subtitle presenting image and the
subtitle-related map are arranged thereunder in such a manner as to avoid
overlapping.

[0073] As described above, the digital broadcast receiver 200 of the
embodiment 2 in accordance with the present invention can display the
information on the received subtitles simultaneously with the digital
broadcast image, and can inform the user of the region associated with
the information on the subtitles more plainly.

[0074] Incidentally, when the subtitles contain an image, the video
synthesizing unit 13 can be configured in such a manner as to carry out
synthesis without the subtitle-related map.

[0075] In addition, a digital broadcast receiver of a second variation can
be configured in such a manner that it has, in addition to the digital
broadcast receiver of the first variation described above, an external
image input unit 11 similar to that of the digital broadcast receiver 100
of the embodiment 1, that by introducing the function similar to that of
the video layout unit 24 included in the CPU 17 of the digital broadcast
receiver 100 of the embodiment 1, the subtitle analyzing unit 22
generates the subtitle information by analyzing the subtitles, and that
the video synthesizing unit 13 combines the digital broadcast image
created by the video decoder 10, the subtitle presenting image created by
the graphics creating unit 23, and the car navigation image input from
the subtitle-related map created by the related-map creating unit 26 in
such a manner as to avoid overlaps between them by adjusting the display
size and display position of each of them. According to the
configuration, it can obtain the subtitles even during a time other than
when viewing the digital broadcasting.

Embodiment 3

[0076] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital
broadcast receiver 300 of an embodiment 3 in accordance with the present
invention. The digital broadcast receiver 300 is constructed by removing
the speaker 9, monitor 15 and map data memory 18 from the digital
broadcast receiver 200 of the embodiment 2, and by adding an output unit
19 thereto.

[0077] In the digital broadcast receiver 300, the voice signal output from
the voice control unit 8, the video signal output from the video control
unit 14 and the subtitle information output from the CPU 17 are delivered
to the output unit 19. The output unit 19 delivers the voice signal,
video signal and subtitle information to a car navigation system 500.

[0078] To the car navigation system 500, a speaker 501 and a monitor 502
are connected so that switching can be made between delivering the voice
signal and video signal fed from the output unit 19 of the digital
broadcast receiver 300 to the speaker 501 and monitor 502, respectively,
and delivering the car navigation voice and car navigation image
generated within itself to the speaker 501 and monitor 502, respectively.

[0079] In addition, the car navigation system 500 is configured in such a
manner that it can create the subtitle presenting image from the subtitle
information delivered from the output unit 19 of the digital broadcast
receiver 300, combine the subtitle presenting image with the car
navigation image generated inside itself, and deliver to the monitor 502.

[0080] Next, details of the CPU 17 will be described. FIG. 13 is a block
diagram showing a functional configuration of the CPU 17, which shows a
portion only relating to the present invention. The CPU 17 includes a
subtitle monitoring unit 21, a subtitle analyzing unit 22, and a graphics
creating unit 23.

[0081] The subtitle monitoring unit 21 receives the carousel delivered
from the demultiplexer 4, and monitors continuously (even during the time
when the digital broadcasting is not viewed) as to whether the carousel
contains the subtitles or not, that is, whether the subtitles are
received or not. Then, when it detects any subtitles contained, it
delivers the carousel containing the subtitles to the subtitle analyzing
unit 22.

[0082] The subtitle analyzing unit 22 performs analysis and extraction of
the subtitles contained in the carousel delivered from the subtitle
monitoring unit 21 to generate the subtitle information as shown in FIG.
3, for example. The subtitle information generated by the subtitle
analyzing unit 22 is delivered to the graphics creating unit 23 and
output unit 19. Incidentally, when the subtitle presenting image is
created in the car navigation system 500, the subtitle information
created by the subtitle analyzing unit 22 is not delivered to the
graphics creating unit 23.

[0083] The graphics creating unit 23 creates the subtitle presenting image
as shown in FIG. 4, for example, from the subtitle information delivered
from the subtitle analyzing unit 22. The subtitle presenting image data
representing the subtitle presenting image created by the graphics
creating unit 23 is delivered to the video synthesizing unit 13.

[0084] Next, the operation of the digital broadcast receiver 300 of the
embodiment 3 in accordance with the present invention with the foregoing
configuration will be described. In the operation of the digital
broadcast receiver 300, the operation at the time of receiving the
subtitles while viewing the digital broadcast is the same as that of the
digital broadcast receiver 100 of the embodiment 1 except that the voice
and images are output from the speaker 501 and monitor 502 connected to
the car navigation system 500.

[0085] Next, the operation will be described in the case where the digital
broadcast receiver 300 of the embodiment 3 receives the subtitles while
viewing the car navigation image and listening to the car navigation
voice generated by the car navigation system 500. In this case, although
the car navigation image is displayed on the monitor 15, the processing
such as receiving, demultiplexing and decoding of a digital broadcast is
carried out in parallel in the background.

[0086] As for the operations of receiving the digital broadcasting with
the antenna 1, of separating it into the audio stream, video stream and
carousel by the demultiplexer 4, and of delivering to the audio decoder
5, video decoder 10 and CPU 17, respectively, they are the same as those
when the foregoing digital broadcast receiver 100 of the embodiment 1
receives the subtitles while viewing the digital broadcasting.

[0087] The carousel separated by the demultiplexer 4 is delivered to the
subtitle monitoring unit 21 of the CPU 17. The subtitle monitoring unit
21, which continuously monitors the presence or absence of the reception
of the subtitles, delivers, when detecting the reception of the
subtitles, the carousel containing the subtitles to the subtitle
analyzing unit 22. The subtitle analyzing unit 22 performs the analysis
and extraction of the subtitles contained in the carousel received from
the subtitle monitoring unit 21 to generate the subtitle information. The
subtitle information generated by the subtitle analyzing unit 22 is
delivered to the output unit 19.

[0088] The output unit 19 delivers the subtitle information generated by
the subtitle analyzing unit 22 to the car navigation system 500. The car
navigation system 500 acquires the contents (text) of the subtitles to be
displayed from the subtitle information delivered from the output unit 19
to create the subtitle presenting image. Then, the car navigation system
500 combines the subtitle presenting image created with the car
navigation image generated within itself, and delivers to the monitor
502. Thus, an image consisting of the subtitles and the car navigation
image such as a map generated within the car navigation system 500 itself
is displayed on the monitor 502.

[0089] As described above, according to the digital broadcast receiver 300
of the embodiment 3 in accordance with the present invention, since it is
configured in such a manner as to deliver the subtitle information to the
car navigation system 500, it can cause the car navigation system 500 to
display the subtitle presenting image. In addition, since it is
configured in such a manner as to display the car navigation image and
the subtitle presenting image after combining them, the user can obtain
information about the subtitles without switching the screen.

[0090] Next, a variation of the digital broadcast receiver 300 of the
foregoing embodiment 3 will be described. In the digital broadcast
receiver of the first variation, as in the digital broadcast receiver 200
of the embodiment 2, the car navigation system 500 identifies the related
region by detecting place-names such as ◯◯
automobile road, XX IC and ◯◯ IC from the
subtitle information delivered from the output unit 19, and reads the map
data on the related region identified from the map data memory (not
shown) retained in itself to create the subtitle-related map.

[0091] In addition, the car navigation system 500 creates the subtitle
presenting image from the subtitle information delivered from the output
unit 19, and is configured in such a manner as to combine the
subtitle-related map with the subtitle-related map and to display on the
monitor 502. According to the digital broadcast receiver of the first
variation, it can inform the user of the subtitle information and the
related region plainly.

[0092] The digital broadcast receiver of a second variation introduces
into the car navigation system 500 a function similar to that of the
video layout unit 24 included in the CPU 17 of the digital broadcast
receiver 100 of the embodiment 1, and combines the subtitle presenting
image created from the subtitle information delivered from the output
unit 19 with the car navigation image generated within itself in such a
manner as to avoid overlaps between them by adjusting the display size
and display position of each of them, and displays on the monitor 502.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the
monitor 15 by the digital broadcast receiver of the second variation. The
car navigation image is reduced in both the vertical and horizontal
directions, and the subtitle presenting image and subtitle-related map
are disposed and displayed under it in such a manner as to avoid
overlaps. According to the configuration, it can prevent the display from
being overlooked.

[0093] The digital broadcast receiver of a third variation introduces into
the car navigation system 500 a function similar to that of the video
layout unit 24 included in the CPU 17 of the digital broadcast receiver
100 of the embodiment 1, detects a related region by analyzing the
subtitle information delivered from the output unit 19, creates a
subtitle-related map about the detected related region, combines the
created subtitle-related map and the subtitle presenting image created
from the subtitle information delivered from the output unit 19 and
decides the size and display position of each of them in such a manner as
to avoid overlaps between them, and displays on the monitor 502.
According to the configuration, it can prevent the display from being
overlooked.

[0094] Incidentally, in the digital broadcast receivers of the foregoing
embodiments 1-3 and in their variations, the monitor 15 or monitor 502
can be constructed in such a manner as to display after appropriately
adjusting a character font of the subtitle presenting image created from
the subtitle information. According to the configuration, it can improve
the readability of the subtitles displayed on the monitor 15.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0095] As described above, the digital broadcast receiver in accordance
with the present invention is configured in such a manner as to create a
subtitle presenting image by acquiring subtitle information from a
received signal obtained by receiving digital broadcasting in the
background while displaying an external image, and to combine and display
the external image and the subtitle presenting image in such a manner as
to avoid overlaps between them. Accordingly, it can display subtitles
without switching the image currently viewed to the digital broadcasting,
and is suitable for a car navigation system and the like.

Patent applications by Kazuma Kaneko, Tokyo JP

Patent applications by Nobuyoshi Okumura, Tokyo JP

Patent applications by Yoshio Todoroki, Tokyo JP

Patent applications in class Television or motion video signal

Patent applications in all subclasses Television or motion video signal